Squirrels have become quite reliant on humans to survive. In other words, they’ve become quite a common pest. You may notice them in your yard or getting into your garbage. It can be intriguing to watch them with their bouncy gallop and their big bushy tail as they cross the yard. But then, suddenly, they’re on your roof, hopping along like it’s theirs. This is where things get messy. Once they have access to your roof, they’ll likely cause loads of costly damage. Being excellent chewers, they have a good chance of ending up inside your home and extending the damage even further.
The damage that squirrels cause can be pretty devastating. Once inside your home, their chewing could reach wires, drywall, insulation, and other structures. Even your personal items and stored food can be affected by their chewing behaviors. Rodent teeth continuously grow, which means continual chewing. Their urine and feces will stink in the attic and inside your walls. Not only can they contaminate food supplies, but they can bring in diseases and parasites as well. What looks like a cute and furry animal can turn into a destructive, unwanted rodent real fast.
To keep squirrels off your roof, trim back tree limbs and other shrubs that allow easy access. Squirrels are excellent jumpers and branches provide a great runway to their favorite rooftop. Other prevention tips to put in place include repairing gaps and holes that you find along your roofline. Any broken shingles or siding should be replaced as well. If you close any spaces that allow squirrels in, they’ll likely move on to an easier accessed shelter. Place caps on chimneys and covers over vents. If you feed birds, it’s helpful to move the bird feeder away from your home, or get rid of it altogether. Keep garbage, gardens, and compost piles a safe distance from the house as they provide squirrels food. Squirrels choose to stay in human homes for their shelter and easy food and water access, so making this harder for them will likely prevent them in the first place.
Squirrels are not a pest that should be handled on your own. They can be dangerous and should only be handled by wildlife control professionals. If squirrels feel threatened or cornered, they will lash out by scratching and biting. If you live in Westchester and you suspect that you have a squirrel issue, contact Parkway Pest Services right away. We know how important it is to remove wildlife as soon as it’s noticed. Our professionals can eliminate the problem as soon as possible. We offer emergency and same-day services, or at least the very next day. At Parkway, we are proud to use Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques. These focus on prevention rather than reactive treatments by using baiting and exclusion, which is much safer for you, your family, and your pets. Contact Parkway Pest Services today to find out more information about how we can help you.